Exile, strangers in a strange land; doesn’t that seem to typify what we are experiencing today? No one knows for sure how long our time of being at home, not physically gathering together as the church will last. This is a strange land for us.

Skip down to verse 23. All the above was so that we have “genuine mutual love.” We are to love one another “deeply from the heart.” We can only do this when we have “purified [our] souls by [our] obedience.” Particularly in this time of exile we need this love which we show through calls, prayers, cards and so on.

We can purify ourselves because our faith and hope are “set on God” (v. 21). God does this through us and for us.

The last verse is very meaningful to me. It is used in morning prayer in the ELW, which was what we used most frequently for chapel in seminary. Those words were sung and I often hear them in my mind. We have been born anew through the living and abiding word of God.

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17If you invoke as Father the one who judges all people impartially according to their deeds, live in reverent fear during the time of your exile. 18You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, 19but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. 20He was destined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake. 21Through him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God.

22Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart. 23You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Names will remain of the Prayer List for a month - at which

time it will be taken off unless, or course, there is still a continued need

for our prayers and we’re asked to keep the name on.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Govenor Cuomo extends NY PAUSE to May 15. No in person services until after May 15. Interactive bulletins will still be available until we return to regular worship services. Your input is greatly appreciated.

For further information, see Kathy Carlson on Sundays or call her at 485-1316.

***We are having a Family Food Pickup EVERY FRIDAY from 2-4 pm for ALL of our district students and families. We are handing out bags of food to any families in need, no questions asked. This is held at St Timothy’s. Please come to the side entrance and a volunteer with 5 & 2 will hand you a bag.

We continuously collect food items for the 5 & 2 Ministry. Bring your donations and place in the black bin in church narthex. Lists detailing items needed are also available in the narthex. Monetary donations welcome! Contact Gale-Svenson-Campbell for details gales1949@gmail.com.

Upcoming Commemorations

Catherine of Siena, theologian, died 1380

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

This theologian was the first woman among Roman Catholics to receive the title "Doctor [teacher] of the Church." Catherine was a Dominican sister known for her mystical visions as well as her work on behalf of people who were poor and imprisoned.

Philip and James, Apostles

Friday, May 1, 2020

Philip was one of the first disciples of Jesus, and called Nathanael to "come and see." He later responded to an Ethiopian official's request for teaching and baptism. Little is known of James, the son of Alphaeus, called "the Less" to distinguish him from another apostle named James.

Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, died 373

Saturday, May 2, 2020

Best remembered for defending the teaching that Christ was fully God against those who taught otherwise, Athanasius was an influential church leader around the time of the Council of Nicea. He was banished from Alexandria five times for his forthright views.